Odisha Governor Takes Action to Boost Enrollment in Social Welfare Schemes

Odisha's Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati has expressed concern over the low enrollment rates in government social welfare schemes. To address this issue, he has initiated a campaign to enroll Raj Bhavan officials and staff in these programs. During an awareness event, he highlighted the importance of various welfare initiatives aimed at supporting the poor and marginalized. The governor emphasized the need for increased public awareness and proposed campaigns in educational institutions to educate citizens about the benefits available to them. This initiative aims to motivate more individuals to take advantage of the financial security these schemes offer.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 23, 2025, 19:35 IST

Governor's Initiative to Enhance Awareness

Bhubaneswar: On Monday, Odisha's Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati raised alarms regarding the insufficient enrollment of citizens in government social welfare initiatives.

He initiated a special campaign aimed at enrolling the officials and staff of Raj Bhavan into these programs.

During an awareness event focused on Social Security schemes held at Raj Bhavan, the governor noted that the Central Government has introduced numerous welfare initiatives since Prime Minister Narendra Modi took office.

Many of these programs are designed to provide financial security and welfare benefits to the impoverished, vulnerable, and marginalized groups, while others cater to the general populace.

Kambhampati expressed disappointment that a significant number of eligible individuals in Odisha are missing out on these benefits due to a lack of awareness. He pointed out that even among educated and affluent groups, many remain unenrolled despite being informed about the schemes.

To set a precedent and inspire public involvement, the governor declared that all Raj Bhavan officials and staff would be enrolled in the applicable social welfare programs. "This initiative aims to motivate citizens throughout the state to take advantage of the benefits available to them," he stated.

He emphasized several key schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, and Atal Pension Yojana, urging the public to utilize these programs for their financial stability and welfare.

The governor proposed awareness campaigns in colleges and universities to inform students about the advantages of these schemes and suggested that public institutions should play a pivotal role in disseminating this information.

Sunita Behera, the Branch Manager of the State Bank of India at Raj Bhavan, provided detailed insights into various schemes during the session. As a symbolic gesture to kick off the campaign, the governor presented application forms for enrollment to 101 Raj Bhavan staff members to the SBI Branch Manager.